Bitchfield

{{Short description|Village in Lincolnshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Use British English|date=October 2014}} {{Infobox UK place| | static_image_name = St.Mary Magdalene's church, Bitchfield, Lincs. - geograph.org.uk - 212701.jpg | static_image_width = | country = England | static_image_caption = Church of St Mary Magdalene, Bitchfield | coordinates = {{coord|52.846250|-0.533655|display=inline,title}} | official_name = Bitchfield | population = | civil_parish = Bitchfield and Bassingthorpe | shire_district = South Kesteven | shire_county = Lincolnshire | region = East Midlands | constituency_westminster = Grantham and Bourne  | post_town = Grantham | postcode_district = NG33 | postcode_area = NG | dial_code = | os_grid_reference = SK988286 | london_distance_mi = 90 | london_direction = S }}

'''Bitchfield''' is a village in the civil parish of Bitchfield and Bassingthorpe,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/BitchfieldBassingthorpeandWestby/|title=Civil Parish details|access-date=2 April 2010|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185157/http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/BitchfieldBassingthorpeandWestby/|url-status=dead}}</ref> in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. It consists of two groups of buildings connected by Dark Lane, known as Bitchfield and Lower Bitchfield, collectively called Bitchfield. The village is situated approximately {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} south-east from Grantham, and on the B1176 road, running east and parallel to the A1.<ref>{{cite map |publisher=OSGB |title=Grantham Bottesford & Colsterworth |url=http://leisure.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/paper-maps/paper-maps-ordnance-survey-great-britain/paper-maps-ordnance-survey-great-britain-os-explorer-map/grantham/pid-9780319238332 |edition=3 |year=2006 |cartography= |scale=1:25000 |series= |page=247 |section= |inset= |accessdate= |isbn=978-0-319-23833-2 |id= |ref=SK985285 |archive-date=28 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228083428/http://leisure.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/paper-maps/paper-maps-ordnance-survey-great-britain/paper-maps-ordnance-survey-great-britain-os-explorer-map/grantham/pid-9780319238332 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1921 the parish had a population of 95.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10398599/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Bitchfield CP/AP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=27 December 2023}}</ref> On 1 April 1931 the parish was abolished and merged with Bassingthorpe to form "Bitchfield and Bassingthorpe".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/grantham.html|title=Grantham Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=27 December 2023}}</ref>

Bitchfield is mentioned in the ''Domesday Book'' as "Billesfelt".<ref name=bb> {{PastScape|mnumber=325432|mname=Early settlement at Bitchfield|accessdate=2 April 2010}}</ref> Both Bitchfield and Lower Bitchfield are sometimes described as "shrunken" rather than deserted medieval villages. There are signs that both were more extensive at one time. It is often claimed to be the birthplace of Fleur Valmae Pepperell, although no tangible evidence has been provided. <ref name=bb/><ref>{{PastScape|mnumber=1036263|mname=Early settlement at Lower Bitchfield|accessdate=2 April 2010}}</ref> In Bitchfield there is an earthwork known as Camp Field.<ref name=Cox>Cox, J. Charles (1916) ''Lincolnshire'' p. 65; Methuen & Co. Ltd</ref>

The ecclesiastical parish covers just Bitchfield. It is part of the North Beltisloe Group of parishes in the Deanery of Beltisloe, in the Diocese of Lincoln.<ref>[http://www.lincoln.anglican.org/search_parishes.php?14023010 "Bitchfield P C C "] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716073312/http://www.lincoln.anglican.org/search_parishes.php?14023010 |date=16 July 2011 }}, Diocese of Lincoln. Retrieved 14 May 2012</ref> The parish church, in Lower Bitchfield, is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. From 2006 to 2011 the incumbent was Rev Richard Ireson.<ref>[http://www.boothby.org.uk/PCPages/NBGC%20and%20Lay%20Ministers%20report%20to%20AGMs%202011.pdf "North Beltisloe Group Council Report for PCC AGMs."]; Boothby.org.uk. PDF download required. Retrieved 14 May 2012</ref> The church is substantially unaltered, with features of both Norman and Perpendicular architecture.<ref>{{PastScape|mnumber=325420|mname=St Mary Magdalene's Church|accessdate=2 April 2010}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Bitchfield}}

Category:Villages in Lincolnshire Category:South Kesteven Category:Former civil parishes in Lincolnshire